Between Heaven and Earth

February 10, 2014
In the writings of the New Testament, many passages address the new life of the great beyond and manage to speak to Christians. The author, who lost his 19-year-old son in a car accident, was prompted by the event to look for biblical pathways to heaven. After studying the writings of the apostle Paul, he is able to see in each individual a stranger, sojourner, pilgrim, and foreigner on earth seeking a better life. The Tennessee pastor deals with his own grief while ministering to those who might be looking for what to expect in the afterlife. He urges the reader to adopt a mindset that aspires to heaven, and he ends with his understanding of Jesus’ message: “He wants our hearts to be in heaven and our hands to be in the harvest, and all He’s asking us to do is to study the Word, be filled with the Holy Spirit’s power, live expectantly, reach out to others, and meet needs.” This comprehensive interpretation should encourage Christian believers experiencing grief.